Combined rear view mirror and telephone

ABSTRACT

A mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit and a rear view mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved telephone apparatus that enables a hands-free use by a driver while operating the vehicle, the improved telephone apparatus includes a rear view mirror housing, the housing including a rear view mirror, telephone and SIM card for sending and receiving telephone calls and instant video image, the image display and SIM card are removably connected thereto. A telephone key pad is cooperatively connected to the telephone for dialing the telephone. An attachment bracket attaches the mirror housing to the vehicle. The housing has the electronic circuitry incorporated therewith to which a telephone and video assembly is connectable. A remote device, and computer process to communicate with the motor vehicle without the need for an automated hub, or Network Operating Center (NOC).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/927,866filed Aug. 28, 2004, and entitled, “COMBINED REAR VIEW MIRROR ANDTELEPHONE,” which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/013,589,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,064, filed Dec. 11, 2001, and entitled,“COMBINED REAR VIEW MIRROR AND TELEPHONE,” which is a continuation inpart of application Ser. No. 09/735,455 filed Dec. 12, 2000, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,625,426, and entitled “COMBINED REAR VIEW MIRROR ANDTELEPHONE,” which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.09/532,859, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,793, filed Mar. 22, 2000, andentitled, “COMBINED REAR VIEW MIRROR AND TELEPHONE;” which is related togranted U.K. application GB235631, filed Jan. 27, 2001, which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mobile telephones or cellulartelephones used in automobiles. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a hands-free mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit foruse in an automobile. Even more particularly, the present inventionrelates to a remote device and computer process for communicating withan automobile via a wireless connection.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of cellular telephones within an automobile is well known asproviding a convenient means of communication. To better serve drivers,mobile telephones have been mounted in a number of places within anautomobile. For instance, cellular telephones have been placed in thecenter console between the driver and the passenger seats oralternatively on the dashboard. Yazaki U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,836 disclosesa combined radio and telephone unit that is mounted in the centerconsole of an automobile. Lang et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,913 teachesplacement of the mobile telephone unit within a recess of a dashboard.

As the road and highways become increasingly crowded, it becomesimperative that drivers be distracted as little as possible. Yet, theuse of a cellular telephone by a driver of a vehicle constitutes asignificant road hazard, especially during the period when the driver iseither dialing or answering the telephone.

To address the problem, a number of attempts have been made to locatethe cellular telephone within a vehicle or provide convenient handsfreeuse. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,015 teaches a cellular telephonefor use in a vehicle where the telephone is mounted on the steeringwheel. With the advent of air bags and crowding of numerous othercontrols upon the steering wheel, such as radio or cruise control, theusefulness of a steering wheel mounted cellular telephone has becomeminimized.

Attempts have also been made to improve the placement of the telephone,while concealing the telephone when not in use. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 4,905,270 teaches a cellular telephone mounted on a sun visor wherethe telephone can be hidden from view by tilting the visor up when notin use.

Vehicular cellular telephones have also been designed to allow forhands-free operation or use of the telephone without a handset. Forinstance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,270 teaches a cellular telephone where themicrophone is mounted on a vehicle sun visor. Sounds are picked up bythe microphone and then FM transmitted to a receiver in the vehiclebefore the communication signal is sent outside the vehicle.

While present day attempts have been made to improve the convenience ofa cellular telephone's location within a vehicle, as noted above, suchattempts have failed to improve the overall safety associated withdialing and answering the phone. In this regard, no significant attempthas been made to control the ability to use the telephone, itself, aswell as other vehicle functions from a remote site for operationalsafety. Particularly, present day car telephones have failed to providea meaningful safe method to answer or dial a cellular telephone whileconcurrently viewing both oncoming traffic in the driver's forward fieldof view and upcoming traffic in the rearward field of view. As detailedherein below, the present invention addresses many of these drawbacksfound in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect hereof, the present invention provides an improvedvehicular telephone which is integrated into a vehicular interior rearview mirror. The mirror cellular telephone is a cellular telephoneintegrated into the rear view mirror, and generally comprises:

(a) a rear view mirror frame or housing, said frame including a rearview mirror, (b) cellular telephone means, (c) dialing means for dialingand answering the telephone disposed within the frame of the rear viewmirror, and wherein a driver can either voice dial and answer a callwhile monitoring road conditions in both a forward and rearward field ofview, or push dial from the cellular telephone mirror frame while thevehicle is stationary or moving.

The present invention also enables a driver to receive or send callerimages and road images by sending a forward field of view through awireless video communication SIM card processor disposed within the rearview mirror frame. The SIM card may be permanently fixed in the rearview mirror housing or be interchangeable with other wireless videocommunication phones.

The combined rear view mirror and cellular telephone system hereofincludes three embodiments, one including an extractable hand-setmounted within the rear view mirror frame or, alternatively, anon-removable cellular telephone system integrated inside the rear-viewmirror frame. Either embodiment may include a wireless videocommunication device. In a third embodiment hereof, a video camera isintegrated into the mirror housing and is used conjointly with thehousing and telephone.

In a further embodiment hereof, there is provided a wireless remotesystem for communicating with a vehicle CPU through the rear viewmirror, or vehicle telematics infrastructure. Although the remote devicecan be applied as a fixed application for cell phone use, paging, andthe like, its primary function is retrieving information from thevehicles telematics architecture.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide means forcommunicating with an automobile through a remote computer or the likecapable of signaling an automobile integrated system such as, remotedevices, radio modems, paging receivers, decoders, micro-controllers,receiver chips, microwave receivers, transmitter-receivers, electricalswitches, microprocessors, interfaces, enabled devices, inboard computersystems, mobile network servers, GPS, GPRS or 3G receivers, and thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process ofcommunication to a vehicle from a work or home computer via thecomputer's transmitter-receiver, integrated server, and/or voiceprocessor to all functions of the automobile through a wirelessconnection.

It is another object of the invention to enable locating the globalposition (GPS) of the vehicle through an integrated systems placed inthe vehicle such as an integrated GPS receiver, computer chip, motiondetector, or other function located in the vehicle.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made tothe following detailed description and attached drawing. In the drawing,like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the severalviews, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, showing a first embodimenthereof;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, partly in phantom, of the embodiment ofFIG. 1, as viewed by a driver while operating a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is the elevation view of FIG. 2, showing detail of the firstembodiment hereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, showing a secondembodiment hereof;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view, partly in phantom, of the embodiment ofFIG. 4, as viewed by a driver while operating a vehicle;

FIG. 6 is the elevation view of FIG. 4, showing detail of the secondembodiment hereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, isometric view, looking downwardly, at andshowing a third embodiment hereof;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, partly in phantom, of the embodimentof FIG. 7, as viewed by a driver while operating a vehicle;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, partly in phantom and with a mirror elementand a speaker element thereof removed, of the embodiment of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view, partly in phantom, of the embodimentof FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

With more particularity, FIGS. 1-3 disclose a first embodiment for animproved cellular telephone in accordance with the present inventionand, generally denoted at 10.

It is contemplated that all necessary cellular telephone components,such as the speaker, a microphone, an antenna, as well as allconventional electrical components, handset, sending unit, power source,and alphanumerics are housed within a rear view mirror housing to form acomplete cellular telephone.

It is also contemplated that the vehicle audio system may be used with atelematics mirror, as discussed below, for additional adjustments insound quality.

The cellular telephone system 10 comprises a generally rectangular rearview mirror housing or frame 12 that comprises a front wall 14, and aperipheral side wall 16. The walls 14 and 16 cooperate to form asubstantially rectangular enclosure having a hollow interior 19.

A reflective surface or mirror 18 is affixed to or otherwise provided onthe front wall 14, the mirror 18 functions as a rear view mirror.

Disposed about the periphery of the side wall 16 are a plurality ofopenings 20 in which are disposed a plurality of push buttons 30 whichcorrespond to the numbers, symbols and alphabetical array associatedwith a telephone. Thus, there is provided on the side wall 16, inessence, a linear array of push buttons which correspond to the numbersof a telephone key pad, including both the star and asterisk as well asthe pound sign, and include the digits one through zero, thus defining alinear key pad 31.

A microphone grid 32 is also provided on the housing 12 on the side wall16 thereof which covers a microphone 33 disposed within the housinginterior 19.

A speaker grid 35 is also provided on the housing on the side wallthereof which covers a speaker 39 disposed within the housing interior19.

As shown in FIG. 2 as well as in FIG. 5, disposed within the interior 19of the housing 12 is suitable electronic circuitry, as illustrated at34. The electronic circuitry 34 comprises telephone circuitry andincludes a circuit board 37 or the like, which provides electricalcommunication between the key pad 31 and the circuit board 37. Anextension cord and plug assembly 36 extends from the circuit board 37.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sidewall 16 is provided with an opening 38,through which is insertable a portable or cellular telephone 40, asdescribed below. The opening 38 provides access to a pocket 42 formedwithin the interior of the housing 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, disposed within the interior 19 of thehousing 12 are a pair of spaced apart side tracks 50, and 52 and a rearwall 54. The tracks 50, and 52 and the rear wall 54 are integrallyformed and cooperate with the front wall 14 to define the pocket 42.Thus, the pocket 42 cooperates with the tracks to slidingly receive thecellular telephone 40.

The rear wall 54 of the pocket 42 defines a stop for limiting the degreeof insertion of the telephone 40.

The cellular telephone 40 is of a conventional configuration having aplug socket 60 formed therewithin and which has a pronged configurationcomplementary to that of the plug assembly 36 associated with thecircuit board 37 to enable the telephone to be rendered in electricalcircuitry or communication with the electronics provided by the circuitboard, thereby enabling the electronics associated with the housing 12to override any of the circuitry associated with the telephone itself.Thus the telephone is operable via the keypad disposed on the sidewall.

It is to be noted in this regard that the actual configuration of thecircuitry is not critical hereto and such is well known to the skilledartisan. What is critical hereto is that the telephone be renderedoperable through the circuitry associated with the mirror housing and beactuable via the key pad associated with the housing.

A mounting assembly 61 is provided to enable the mounting of the instantmirror to the windshield or other suitable location on a vehicle. Apower source, such as a battery and, preferably at the vehicle battery(not shown), is used to power the telephone when it is being operatedfrom the housing. In other words, the electronic circuitry 34 is poweredby a suitable source, preferably a vehicle battery, through a suitableand well-known wiring connection.

It is to be appreciated that according to this embodiment, the telephoneis removable from the pocket where necessary, but at all other times,when placed in electronic communication with the circuit board it hasits operation controlled at the mirror itself without the need foraccess in the telephone, per se.

It is readily seen that a phone may be permanently installed behind themirror, if desired.

The telephone 40, per se, used in the practice of the present inventionis preferably a conventional hand held cellular telephone.

As discussed below, optionally, the mirror 18 can be a telematics mirrorwhere the mirror is display screen itself, or can be in communicationwith another display screen for displaying e-mail, stock quotes andsimilar information accessed by and received by the telephone through awireless web or the like.

Thus, the mirror 18 is a telematics mirror it can receive or send wordedor numeral messages sent from a computer, conventional telephone, cellphone, or any remote device.

Where the mirror is a display screen, the display screen, preferablycomprises a liquid crystal display and a backlight. This structure iswell known to the skilled artisan.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 there is depicted therein a second embodimentof the present invention. This embodiment adopts the same components andconcepts as the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-3) except that the secondembodiment accommodates an interchangeable SIM (“Subscriber IdentityModule”) card denoted at 62 to enable the driver to use the same card,either while driving, by inserting the SIM card 62 into a drawer 66, andthe SIM card when assembled to the drawer 66 into a pocket 63 through adoor 64 formed in the housing 12 (FIG. 4); and when the driver is awayfrom the vehicle, by removing the SIM card from the pocket 63 andinserting the SIM card into an ordinary mobile telephone, wherein toconnect and place the SIM card in operable relation with telephonecircuitry. Optionally, the automobile cellular circuitry may becompletely hidden in the vehicle as long as the SIM card 62 andcircuitry are used together for security reasons. In the event thevehicle is stolen no telephone calls can be made. In this regard, theSIM card 62 may temporarily replace the vehicle voice responsecapabilities.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, there is illustrated a third embodiment ofthe present invention. According to this embodiment a video cameradevice 65 is disposed on the housing for transmitting videocommunication images. A screen viewer 70 is slidingly disposed andstorable in the pocket 42 to receive video images and is in electricalcommunication with the camera 65.

The video camera 65 can transmit both a forward and a rearward field ofview. Referring to FIG. 7, the video camera 65 is shown mounted formovement relative to an X-Y-Z coordinate axis system, wherein the X-axisis aligned with the forward and rearward ends of the vehicle, the Y-axisextends from side-to-side and across the dashboard of the vehicle, andthe Z-axis is perpendicular to the road. The camera 65, so mounted, isrotatable and orientable in a range of 360° relative to the Z-axis(i.e., in the X-Y plane), and may rotate 13°up and down relative to theY-axis (i.e., in the Z-X plane).

It is to be appreciated that according to this embodiment, the screenviewer is slidingly removable from the pocket when necessary. It isfurther contemplated that the video screen viewer 70 may beinterchangeable with a portable video communications telephone (notshown). Such a screen viewer video communications telephone may be incommunication with any computer webcam for real time communication.

In practicing the present invention, it is preferred that the mirror 18comprise a “telematics” mirror. By the term “telematics” is meant thatthe mirror 18 and cellular telephone circuitry 34 are in directcommunication with any inboard vehicle computer system, software,computer chip, sensor, transmitter, receiver, microprocessor, decoder,micro controller, enabled device, pager receiver, electrical switch, orvehicle mobile network server system for displaying features, such asvehicle location, route guidance information via satellite navigation,GPS, GPRS and other vehicle bus protocols through a wireless connection.Such an arrangement, also, enables remote vehicle diagnostics, dataacquisition and analysis, fleet management, and vehicle datarecordation.

When the mirror 18 is a telematics mirror, the mirror may have touchdialing and biometric capabilities located on the mirror surface. Thetouch screen may include voice response capabilities, and be used withor without a SIM card reader. The biometrics capability may comprise afingerprint card which can be used in the same manner as the SIM card62, or be integrated into the mirror surface 18, such capabilityenabling onboard verification of a fingerprint and thus the wirelessidentification of an individual by means of the telephone. Optionally,the biometrics application may be disposed anywhere on the mirror in asolitary function for driver convenience.

The telematic mirror and circuitry may communicate with a remote device,computer, or land-line outside the vehicle carriage using a preferredcoded orally spoken or access dialed into the telematic architecture,for implementation and monitoring of all vehicle functions, through anymonitoring sensors or devices. Such devices include, for example,computer chips, microprocessors, inboard computer systems, mobilenetwork servers, radio modems, enabled devices, pager receivers,decoders, micro controllers, receiver chips, transmitter-receivers,interfaces, vehicle voice processors, GPS receivers, or other telematicsarchitecture through a wireless connection.

Also, infrared port applications located outside the vehicle, on anyremote device, or computer system which can communicate with an infraredport on the telematics mirror 18 may be implemented herein. By using atelematics mirror, there is enabled e-mail retrieval, worded or numericmessages, recorded calls, vehicle start signals, GPS, GPRS location, RPMinterrupt, climate control, security system monitoring, fluid levels,tire pressure monitoring, and the like.

The remote device may comprise a docking unit when located inside thevehicle at certain times, and define a Global Interface Function (GIF).

In the event of vehicle theft, or a police chase the vehicle may behalted immediately using a remote device such as by retrieving the GPSlocation of the vehicle on a global basis for RPM interrupt orretrieving vehicle GPRS location information and relaying it to theremote device from anywhere in the telematic infrastructure, in theevent the vehicle occupant is stranded in a dangerous situation withoutthe access to communicate for assistance, or other means such as, MESA(Mobility for Emergency and Safety Application).

It is to be appreciated that the telematics mirror, when associated witha remote device monitoring the vehicles system, may transmit verbalsignals to relay to the vehicle owner (outside the vehicle carriage) thestatus of vehicle functions and vehicle information, through a vehiclevoice notification process coming through the remote device, from thetelematics infrastructure.

Thus, in a further aspect hereof there is provided a computer processfor controlling vehicle functions from a remote site, such as a home orwork computer, through a telematics transmitter-receiver process, usingvehicle software accessed through a wireless connection. The softwarefor controlling a vehicle coincides with the remote site software. Theremote site can also include a web site application download, CDR, acomputer operating system, a network system, an internet access and thelike. Furthermore, it is possible that the telematictransmitter-receiver process be a global process. In use, the telematicssystem is accessed by dialing or orally accessed through a voiceprocessor to retrieve all vehicle information from the telematicsarchitecture. The returned vehicle information can then be related tothe operator of the vehicle to provide vehicle status, either visuallyor orally, such as fuel level, tire pressure or the like either bydisplaying it at the remote site or on the rearview mirror.

Furthermore, through the wireless connection it is also possible for adisplay screen mirror to send and receive information which can then beboth visually displayed or orally relayed using a voice response systemthrough the speaker system of the vehicle.

By incorporating the appropriate circuit into the circuitry 34, it isalso possible to enable the mirror to conduct two-way radio function, aswell as call ID functions that appear on the display screen surface.

Although not shown, it is also possible for a lap top computer to beplugged directly into the rearview mirror and or SIM card circuitry toretrieve e-mail and similar information from the wireless web through anInternet Data Center.

It is also contemplated that the telematics mirror have scanner-receivercapabilities, as a free frequency system using digital or analog, aswell as FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and the like. This includes any newfrequencies transferring voice and data between computers (Bluetooth) atno less than 720 kilobits per second, with or without the use of astandard radio modem.

Similarly, it is yet further contemplated, that the telematics mirror beadapted to have two-way capabilities to communicate with anothertelematics mirror, using a signaling process. In this regard, the signalfor an incoming communication may come from another telematics mirrorhaving infrared capabilities. The signal for an incoming communicationappears in the mirror surface or through voice notification. Voiceresponse may accept or refuse such communication, using the mirrormicrophone or vehicle speaker for voice amplification. It is to beappreciated that personalized access numbers or GPS code can beintegrated into such a system for deciding whether or not to accept thecommunication. It is readily apparent that the present system, whenusing GPS technology provides rescue and route guidance monitoring.

The present mirror may be in direct communication with an onboardcomputer system such as the Panasonic CF-27 located in a police vehicle,which, in turn, is in direct communication with the National CrimeInformation Center in Washington D.C., USA and various national officesto enable vehicle information access to law enforcement agencies. Thiswould allow a vehicle owner to register his or her vehicle access codeswith those agencies responsible for recording such information.

While the invention has been illustrated in detail in the drawing and inthe foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrativeand not restrictive in nature. It is understood that only the preferredembodiments have been shown and described fully and that all changes andmodification that come within the spirit of the invention are desired tobe protected.

1. A method of providing hands-free communication for a caller in avehicle using a combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus in thevehicle, the combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus havingelectronic telephonic circuitry for transmitting and receiving telephoneinformation, the method comprising: receiving a signal from a serviceprovider remote to the vehicle using a SIM card disposed within thecombined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus, wherein said signalplaces the electronic telephonic circuitry in operative communicationwith said remote service provider; receiving telephone information fromsaid remote service provider; outputting said telephone informationusing the electronic telephonic circuitry; and transmitting callertelephone information including caller voice and data to said remoteservice provider.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronictelephonic circuitry in the combined rear view mirror and telephoneapparatus includes cellular telephonic circuitry for placing telephonecalls.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said SIM card is in electricaltelephonic circuit relation with said cellular telephone circuitry whensaid SIM card is disposed in the combined rear view mirror and telephoneapparatus.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the combined rear viewmirror and telephone apparatus further comprises video circuitryincluding a video communication SIM processor for receiving andtransmitting images.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the combined rearview mirror and telephone apparatus further comprises a video cameradisposed therein, wherein said video camera is in electrical circuitrelation with said video circuitry.
 6. The method of claim 5 furthercomprising: receiving voice and images from said remote serviceprovider; outputting said voice and images using the electronictelephonic circuitry and said video circuitry; transmitting caller voiceto said remote service provider using the electronic telephoniccircuitry; and transmitting caller and road images to said remoteservice provider by sending a field of view received by said videocamera through said video communication SIM processor of said videocircuitry.
 7. A combined rear view mirror and telephone apparatus, theapparatus comprising: a rear view mirror housing adapted to be attachedto a windshield of a vehicle; a SIM card reader disposed in the mirrorhousing; and cellular telephone circuitry disposed in the mirrorhousing, wherein the SIM card reader is communicatively-coupled with thecellular telephone circuitry, wherein, upon insertion of a SIM card inthe SIM card reader, the apparatus is enabled to communicate with acellular telephone service provider, and wherein the cellular telephonecircuitry includes an interface to communicatively-couple the cellulartelephone circuitry with an inboard component of the vehicle that iscapable of being controlled by a device remote to the vehicle via acommunication between the cellular telephone circuitry and the cellulartelephone service provider.
 8. The combined rear view mirror andtelephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard component is incommunication with the cellular telephone circuitry via a short rangewireless protocol.
 9. The combined rear view mirror and telephoneapparatus of claim 8, wherein the short range wireless protocolcomprises a Bluetooth wireless protocol.
 10. The combined rear viewmirror and telephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard componentcomprises an inboard vehicle computer.
 11. The combined rear view mirrorand telephone apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inboard componentcomprises a sensor of the vehicle.